Foundation works on Princess Elisabeth Island completed

The foundation works for Princess Elisabeth Island in the Belgian North Sea have been completed. Jan De Nul, together with DEME, as part of the TM EDISON consortium and on behalf of Elia Transmission Belgium, has installed the 23rd and final foundation element. The future energy island is situated approximately 45 kilometres off the Belgian coast.

A milestone for Belgium’s energy infrastructure

The project is a key element in the further expansion of Belgium’s energy infrastructure. By connecting additional offshore wind capacity, it supports the energy transition, the further electrification of industry, economic competitiveness and greater energy independence. 

The energy island will provide the connection for Belgium’s second offshore wind zone and create opportunities for future European electricity interconnections, such as with the United Kingdom.

23 caissons built in Vlissingen

The 23 concrete caissons together form the island’s protective outer shell. Each element weighs approximately 22,000 tonnes, is 58 metres long and 28 metres wide, and is between 23 and 32 metres high. The caissons were built in Vlissingen. Around 300 people worked on their production there every day. It took approximately three months to build a single caisson. The elements were then transported to their location at sea and installed.
 

Next phase towards 2031

Now that the foundation structure is complete, the island is being further reclaimed with sand. According to the current schedule, the cable connections to the mainland will be laid in 2027 and 2028. The installation of the electrical infrastructure will follow from 2029. Final completion is scheduled for 2031.

The construction work also takes the natural environment around the island into account. As part of the nature-inclusive design, features such as rocks covered with young oysters have been installed. These protect the island from erosion whilst also supporting the development of new oyster reefs.

Both Jan De Nul and the client, Elia Transmission Belgium, are partners in Smart Delta Resources. The project illustrates how collaboration between energy companies, infrastructure providers, public authorities and industry is essential to shaping the energy transition and future energy supply.

Further information can be found in the original posts by

• Jan De Nul: 
  Foundations for the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island successfully completed | Jan De Nul
• Elia:
  Construction of foundations for Princess Elisabeth Energy Island successfully completed

Strategic impact

•    Enables the connection of Belgium’s second offshore wind zone.
•    Supports the further electrification of industry and a competitive economy.
•    Creates opportunities for future cross-border electricity exchange.
•    Contributes to a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system for Belgium and Europe.
 

Project details: Princess Elisabeth Island

•    Location: Belgian North Sea, approximately 45 km off the coast
•    Client: Elia Transmission Belgium
•    Contractor: TM EDISON, a consortium of Jan De Nul and DEME
•    Foundation: 23 concrete caissons
•    Caisson construction site: Vlissingen
•    Weight per caisson: approximately 22,000 tonnes
•    Project timeline:
- Cable connections to the coast planned for 2027 and 2028
- Installation of electrical infrastructure from 2029
- Planned completion: 2031